NJ Football: This week in Essex County (High school Football news)

<p><br />PLAYER TO WATCH<br />Injuries to key backfield members have limited Millburn's effectiveness, but Tim Swanson's pass-catching ability makes every possession a possible scoring situation.<br />The 6-3, 190-pound split end had another outstanding performance Friday against Shabazz when he hauled in 10 passes from Ryan Bednarski for 156 yards and a TD. <br />Swanson tied the game at 6-6 when he caught 30-yard pass at the Millburn 41 and up-shifted to outrace two defenders and complete the 71-yard play. Millburn's depleted backfield was unable to pose further danger and Shabazz came alive in the second half for a 29-6 victory.<br />Millburn fell to 1-5 and yet Swanson continued to raise his status as one of Essex County's most talented receivers. Eight of Millburn's 12 TDs are completions from Bednarski to Swanson, including four in a 34-26 loss against Livingston to start the season.<br />TEAM TO WATCH<br />West Side looked like it was doomed when junior QB Keith Foster broke a finger on his throwing hand in the third game. The Newark team was already low in numbers and needed Foster's strong arm to compensate for a dwindling running corps.<br /> But senior running back Edgar Ruiz volunteered to play QB after four straight losses and now has West Side (3-4) thinking state playoffs. He spearheaded consecutive victories over Livingston, 26-7, and Bloomfield, 39-7, and can help secure a spot in North Jersey, Section 2, Group 3 with a victory Friday night against Montclair (3-4). But Montclair has ample incentive, as a victory will likely clinch a berth in North Jersey, Section 1, Group 4.<br />Senior Marquis Clyburn has provided West Side with a huge boost, scoring five TDs in the last two games.<br />GAME TO WATCH<br />West Essex at Columbia, 1 p.m. Saturday. <br />Columbia had a seven-game wining streak snapped last year, 15-12, on a lengthy fourth-quarter drive by West Essex in North Caldwell. Columbia (6-0) wants to avoid a similar fate against a hot West Essex (5-2) club that has been sharp since opening with two losses.<br />Running back Denzel Nieves and QB Demetrius Cooper power Columbia. Steve O'Neill, D.J. Hamker and Mike Mitchell fuel West Essex' balanced ground attack.<br />--Mike Kinney<br /> <br /> <br /></p>